CHICAGO, April 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago
chapter of a revered national nonprofit isn't letting the COVID-19
crisis quarantine its desire to help those in need.
Humble Design® has been helping Chicagoland families and
veterans escape the cycle of homelessness since early 2017. But the
charity's mission is shifting while precautionary measures limit
normal operations.
Typically, Humble Design coordinates with local shelters to
identify candidates emerging from homelessness, and then provides
volunteer designers and furnishings donated by the community to
turn their empty houses into clean, dignified and welcoming
homes.
Temporarily unable to proceed with furnishing individual homes,
Humble Design's new mission is to assist the shelters directly by
delivering much-needed warehouse goods at a time when these safe
havens are overrun.
"We have begun distributing our blankets, sheets, books, toys,
cleaning supplies, kitchen and bathroom items, as well as anything
else the shelters can use from our warehouses," Humble Design
founder Treger Strasberg said. "Our shelter partners need our help
now to create more livable conditions for children and families
fleeing unhealthy situations."
Visitors to humbledesign.org are greeted with the
message: "If you are a partnering shelter or agency and you need
items from our warehouse – please reach out. While our warehouses
are closed for drop-offs, our hearts are open and we are WORKING.
We will be working to provide additional resources to help our
shelter partners who might be impacted during this challenging
time."
How You Can Help
Humble Design knows compassionate Chicagoans will want to
support this initiative to benefit these shelter partners – while
still sheltering in place themselves. The solution: a "Pajama
Potluck" online auction with lots of fun and enticing items.
An auction site is already active for supporters to donate and
buy gifts. The proceeds will go directly to Humble Design's
expanded mission during the COVID-19 crisis.
Auction categories include: artwork, clothing and accessories,
electronics, experiences, gift cards, professional services, sports
memorabilia, travel, items under $20,
and virtual meet-ups with celebrities. Gift donations and buyers
are needed. Please click on the links below to participate:
- DONATE an item
- SHOP the auction
- SHARE the news
Local Impact in Chicago
On Monday, Humble Design made a delivery to aid
Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC). The
shelter is operating with 35 beds to follow COVID-19 isolation
guidelines, but remains in need of donations – most notably kitchen
supplies.
The delivery included: place settings for 45; a toaster; two
coffeemakers; cups and bowls; platters, pots and pans; baking
sheets; more than 25 sets of bath towels, washcloths and hand
towels; 35 sets of pillows and twin sheet sets with pillow cases
and comforters; and an array of vases and floral decorations for
bedroom spaces.
Humble Design has also made deliveries to A Safe Haven
Foundation, Amani House, Heartland
Alliance, Inspiration Corporation and Olive Branch Mission.
"We realize that during this unusual time, the needs of the
communities we serve don't stop," said Julie Dickinson, director of Humble Design
Chicago. "If we can help while keeping our staff and those we serve
safe, we are going to do it."
This mission expansion is occurring in all four metropolitan
markets that Humble Design serves, including Detroit, Seattle and San
Diego. Humble Design, founded in 2009 in Detroit, is thankful for its supporters and
sponsors, including U-Haul®, which has served as its national
sponsor since 2016.
About Humble Design
Humble Design is a nonprofit that helps families
transitioning out of homeless shelters by providing furnishings and
design services. The organization turns empty houses into clean,
dignified and welcoming homes — a very simple idea that can change
a family's future. Founded in 2009, the organization primarily
serves single parents with children and veteran families. Humble
Design has served nearly 1,450 families nationally through its
chapters in Detroit, Chicago, Seattle and San
Diego.
About U-Haul
Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of
do-it-yourself movers, with a network of 22,000 locations across
all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7
offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day
through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our
proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has
enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 167,000 trucks,
120,000 trailers and 43,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly
697,000 rooms and 60.7 million square feet of self-storage space at
owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest installer
of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket
industry, and is the largest retailer of propane in the
U.S.
Contact:
Jeff Lockridge
Sebastien Reyes
E-mail: publicrelations@uhaul.com
Phone: 602-760-4941
Website: uhaul.com
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SOURCE Humble Design